Glimmer Map
Watch squares light up on a map, then tap every square you saw.
About this game
Glimmer Map is a spatial memory game. Squares on a grid light up in three quick glimpses, sometimes one at a time and sometimes in small groups, and then the grid goes dark. You tap the squares that glowed, in any order, then press Submit map.
It is inspired by classic tasks that study visuospatial memory, our ability to remember where things are. Remembering locations engages a different part of working memory than remembering words or numbers, so it is a good complement to a digit or word game.
How to play
- Watch the squares light up on the map.
- When the map goes dark, tap every square you remember.
- Press Submit map to see how you did. The next map starts after a three-second countdown.
Tips
- Scan the grid row by row so you don't miss a corner.
- Look for shapes in the pattern, such as a line, a corner or a zigzag.
- Tap squares you're sure of first, then add the ones you're less sure about.
How it adapts
Three correct maps in a row add one square. A mistake makes the next map easier and resets that count. Groups of two or more squares stay lit longer. Kids have a lower difficulty ceiling; your first round starts with three squares.
Questions
What is spatial memory?
It is your memory for places and positions, like where you left your keys or how a room is laid out.
Do I have to tap the squares in order?
No. In Glimmer Map you can tap them in any order. Only the set of squares counts.
What happens if I tap a wrong square?
It counts against your score. Submit map works once you have picked as many squares as lit up, and Undo takes back your last pick, so check the picture in your head before you submit.
The research behind it
Visuospatial memory tasks are widely used to study how we hold locations in mind.
